Kings -- interesting-looking new show

[Trent Roman]

I'll give it a look-see - if it's just a prime-time soap, I may not go any further, but if they tell a good story, regardless of its setting, the names really don't matter to me. I admit I'm curious what sort of monarchy and political system they have in mind for "Gilboa," and where it will be located, both geographically and astronomically (do we know if this planet is even Earth?); the name reminds me of "Genosha," X-Men's fictitious island nation that is the designated 'home' of mutantkind.

Gilboa is a mountain in Israel, near the West Bank, and the site of a biblical battle between King Saul and the Phillistines if you believe in such things. Ties in with the general Old Testament metaphors running through the series, though I have no idea if the overall setting will be their version of the Middle East, or if they'll opt for a (divided) North American context. I'm pretty sure the planet is still meant to be Earth, albeit one that's followed a different path.

Fictitiously yours, Trent Roman

 

[hyzmarca]

They have an obvious pre-defined goal with an obvious predefined ending, thus making it unlikely to fall into pure soap. They show is about the Bibilcal David's ascension from servant to King. While they're certainly going to be taking dramatic liberties, the core story remains, and it contains more than enough political intrigue and violence to carry a prime-time series (actually, they'll probably have to tone it down a little).

 

[HIj'Qa]

I'm curious to see if they explore the David/Jonathan angle.

And I hope Wes Studi is in a lot of scenes

 

[Praetor]

There can never be too much Wes Studi.

 

[cardinal biggles]

But will Wu make an appearance!!! Kings needs Wu. Lets start the letter campaign now.

But how will NBC know where to send my letter when I only address it to "Cocksucka"? Maybe if I addressed it to "San Francisco cocksucka"?

Aw, hell, they'll figure it out.

 

[AviTrek]

I like the AU concept, but...

1) this premise is too weird for mainstream TV

How so? It's not like most stuff on TV isn't 'alternate universe' - how many fictitious countries did the staff and dignitaries of The West Wing visit or war with? Not to mention President Jed Bartlett. And Jericho? Definitely AU.

I'll give it a look-see - if it's just a prime-time soap, I may not go any further, but if they tell a good story, regardless of its setting, the names really don't matter to me. I admit I'm curious what sort of monarchy and political system they have in mind for "Gilboa," and where it will be located, both geographically and astronomically (do we know if this planet is even Earth?); the name reminds me of "Genosha," X-Men's fictitious island nation that is the designated 'home' of mutantkind.

Could be interesting! Lots of possibilities, at any rate.

Your questions explain the difference between Kings and West Wing/Jericho. West Wing was clearly in America roughly during the Clinton Presidency. Sure some country names were different, but they were obvious stand ins for real world countries. Jericho was also in America, except there was nuclear strike orchestrated by a stand in for Blackwater/Halliburton.

With Kings it's a different country. There is a new city, except it looks kind of like New York. There is a prosperous large monarchy in the 21st century. Who knows whether there will be foreign countries and if the names will be recognizable. The entire world is different. Of course if the writing/acting is good then it shouldn't matter, but most of the viewing public may just prefer to watch the latest reality contest instead.

 

[Ruaidhri]

Looks like it might be interesting. I like alternate history stuff, and it'll be fun to see if the writers offer a point of divergence, or just leave it unexplained. (Assuming it's an alternate Earth, and not just a new world altogether.

 

[AviTrek]

The point of the show is not Alt-history, but a modern retelling of the story of David. I'm sure the writers will not offer a divergence point because they don't have one and don't care about one. They needed a modern world that could be the setting for a young boy taking the kingship from an older king, so they created the world. It doesn't matter where it's set, just that the setting is appropriate for the story they wanted.

 

[Ruaidhri]

Fair enough! Still has my interest piqued.

 

[Strider]

Haven't we learned our lesson about network tv miniseries yet? This looks like pure garbage.

 

[Shawnster]

I like the AU concept, but...

1) this premise is too weird for mainstream TV

How so? It's not like most stuff on TV isn't 'alternate universe' - how many fictitious countries did the staff and dignitaries of The West Wing visit or war with? Not to mention President Jed Bartlett. And Jericho? Definitely AU.

I'll give it a look-see - if it's just a prime-time soap, I may not go any further, but if they tell a good story, regardless of its setting, the names really don't matter to me. I admit I'm curious what sort of monarchy and political system they have in mind for "Gilboa," and where it will be located, both geographically and astronomically (do we know if this planet is even Earth?); the name reminds me of "Genosha," X-Men's fictitious island nation that is the designated 'home' of mutantkind.

Could be interesting! Lots of possibilities, at any rate.

Ah, countries from West Wing are different. How many viewers can name REAL countries (besides Iraq and Afghanistan)? As long as it sounds foreign then it passes. Not like the show is set in that country or anything.

But an alternate United States* with a King? I'm sure there are plenty of casual viewers that will go "whut?" And it's the casual viewer that the suits seem to always go for. The masses. Who cares that there is a niche that actually GETS IT. They're usually too small a niche to sustain a show for long.

Sad to say.

*EDIT: OK, I see this isn't supposed to be the United States. Still, my comment stands. Most of the casual viewers will associate this with the USA. I mean I had a friend whose dad kept calling the Federation "America."

 

[hyzmarca]

It's supposed to be Israel circa 1020BC, give or take, transported to 2009 North America with the names changed to protect the innocent.

 

[FredH]

Well, there's a reference to Liszt having written music in the 1860s, so it sure seems intended as an alternate-now of this world, bizarro callbacks to the Bible notwithstanding.

I suppose one might rationalize that this is North America, 150 years after the Civil War ended by fragmenting both sides further and further into a patchwork of independent mini-states. Or not.

 

[Snaploud]

This was the best pilot I've seen in years. There's a thread in TV & Media, but I'm not going to get into arguing over where the threads should end up. It's probably not worth bothering over until there's a bigger fan-base on the board.

 

[Aquehonga]

Reverend Samuels is played by Eamonn Walker, who played Said on OZ.

He would've made a great Sisko.

Anyway, I don't think Said's original real name was ever said. Could be Samuels

Maybe Samuels is an alternate universe counterpart of Said?

In the parallel universe of KINGS, Samuels becomes a Christian figure of Gilboan national importance, on religious matters.

The Grand High Exalted Reverend Samuels.

Just engaging in aficionadofickish speculation regarding OZ, KINGS & parallel universes